Barbara Bedell: Efforts help provide kids with school supplies

As much as we don't like to be reminded, the countdown is on for a return to school for our children. To me, I've always viewed July Fourth as the unaccepted end of summer because from that day on, the days seem to shorten and thoughts turn to back-to-school sales and shopping. Our college-bound youth usually leave home in August, so they've been getting ready much sooner.

As much as we don't like to be reminded, the countdown is on for a return to school for our children. To me, I've always viewed July Fourth as the unaccepted end of summer because from that day on, the days seem to shorten and thoughts turn to back-to-school sales and shopping. Our college-bound youth usually leave home in August, so they've been getting ready much sooner.

For the individuals shopping for families whose budgets don't include backpacks and school supplies, some have been gathering items since late spring.

Through the Middletown Cares Coalition, Dylan Hill works with other members of the Middletown Mayor's Youth Council filling backpacks. They are stored in a Mid-City Transit school bus for distribution to schools in the Middletown School District. They are given without fanfare to several hundred children who need them the most.

Backpacks and school supplies, especially for elementary schoolchildren, continue to be sought. Items can be taken to the Coalition office at 47 Academy St. in Middletown from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, before Aug. 23. For information, call Peg Kimple the nonprofit's coordinator, at 346-4233.

Thomas Hill, Heather Stelling, Connor Porretto, Madelyn Jachimiak and Madison Miller have lots in common. They attended the Union Church Vacation Bible School in Newburgh this summer and along with 80 other children helped stuff backpacks with school supplies for children, many their own age.

The backpacks were supplied by Union Church's Samaritan's Way and Alpha Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma. Books in the backpack were supplied by Literacy Orange.

It's part of a citywide project, as in many other communities, all in an attempt to be sure that all children have the materials they need for learning. Donations can be left at any house of worship. When schools open, most main offices in schools have a corner where school supplies can be donated year-round.

American Cowboy Day is on the national calendar as the fourth Saturday in July. Through several groups, it will be observed from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at the Thomas Bull Memorial Park on Route 416 in Hamptonburgh.

There will be lots to see and do from pony rides to vendors, poetry reading, demonstrations, and a concert of cowboy music with the Dry Town Drifters from 1-3 p.m. Among the participants are the New York State Horse Council and its Orange and Ulster County Chapters, Diamond Derby Ranch and the Paint Pony. For information, call 220-7857 or email gwatso@hvc.rr.com.

Steven and Shelley Turk, owners of Rocking Horse Ranch Resort in Highland and SplashDown Beach Water Park in Fishkill, will be honored for their ongoing support of the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley at the nonprofit's annual dinner.

It will be from 6-9 p.m. Sept. 26 at Torches on the Hudson, 120 Front St. in Newburgh. Tickets are $95. For information, call Jessica Fetonti at 534-5344 by Sept. 6.